Posted on 07/25/2005 5:19:45 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, July 25, 2005 – One hundred forty-three U.S. servicemembers from 42 different countries held up their right hands and became U.S. citizens today in the Al-Faw Palace rotunda here.
The Army and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services led the ceremony.
The Oath of Citizenship of the United States of America includes the words "... that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States of America when required by law." But Army Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, Multinational Corps Iraq commander, noted the new citizens had already made their decision about serving the United States.
"Before they were its citizens, they were willing to fight for it, risk everything for it and be required to spend a portion of their lives away from a country that they're dedicated to," said Vines, who presided at the ceremony.
Hawaii Army National Guardsman Spc. Richard Soriano started filing for citizenship one year ago. The 23-year-old infantryman, almost halfway through a year-long deployment with 2nd Battalion, 299 Infantry Regiment, left a brother in the Philippines and his parents, five more brothers and a sister in Kahului, Maui, when he came to Camp Victory here. "It feels great," he said of his new citizenship. "I called (my family) the other day and they were very proud. They said, 'Good for you, you got it.'"
Another new American, Pablo Perez, traveled from Mosul, Iraq, to participate. A private first class with 25th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade, Perez had been trying to obtain citizenship for five years. "I think (the ceremony) is outstanding, said the 23-year-old soldier from Managua, Nicaragua. "I think every soldier out here feels like they're being taken care of by the military. It's a good thing for us."
More than half of the new citizens joined the military after Sept. 11, 2001, Vines said, commenting that they knew exactly what they were risking when they agreed to serve. "They're so committed to the concepts of democracy and freedom that they're sacrificing much of their own to ensure that America remains free," Vines said.
After the remarks from Vines and presiding USCIS officer Karen Landsness -- as well as a recorded message from President Bush -- Perez, Soriano, and 141 of their newly naturalized brothers and sisters in arms were given certificates of citizenship from Vines and Landsness and an American flag from Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Carey, MNCI's command sergeant major.
Including Landsness, three USCIC officers had been on hand since July 21 to interview the new citizens-to-be, said Linda Dougherty, an 11-year USCIS veteran who also participated in a like ceremony in Bagram, Afghanistan, on Oct. 1. "I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the people willing to serve the U.S. before it was their own country," she added.
"We're in the presence of some great young men and women that are about to receive a title that is perhaps one of the most desired titles in history: American Citizen," Vines said.
(Army Staff Sgt. Mark St. Clair is assigned to Multinational Corps Iraq public affairs.)
Proud Patriots become US Citizens!
These fine "Americans" earned the citizenship so many others take for granted. Our nation could use a lot more like them.
Take for granted... LOL, judging by your own situation are you?
Kudos to these people, but they're no more appreciative than I.
Ping.
Exactly. Having done three combat tours myself, I can well imagine what this special day means to them...where they are standing. The one element that they bring to the picture that so many can't really appreciate is leaving their old countries and coming to a land of hope and opportunity and stepping forward to defend their new nation. This puts them more in spirit with most of our ancestors in a special way that 6th-7th generation Americans, people born to it, don't appreciate in the same way.
I'm glad you have a deeper sense of appreciation for citizenship them most do.
My comment was rather unfair to you, but that was a nice reply.
The folks I think of when it comes to "don't appreciate it", are those who back polices that are detrimental to the well-being of the United States.
Those who advocate polices that seem to mirror the wishes of our sworn adversaries, certainly come to mind. Those who disrespect our flag and seem to hate this nation, do also.
There is a special place I hold in my heart for those who have served in our military. I do have to recognize that not every citizen is going to serve when our military is the size it is. That doesn't mean that we who haven't served haven't tried to contribute to the survivability of our nation, and the protection of it's most important tenets.
We've talked a number of times and I don't always agree with you, but I do always appreciate your service even if I rib you.
Take care.
I couldn't help but think how much they sounded like the colonists and later the pioneers. Only their words were first person and not quoted from an American history book. Change the original nation (I was there with a Filipino friend and I'm sure too talk to pass off as one of them) and the last name and it could have been my one of my great, great grandfathers standing there.
Take care.
I would suspect that would be a moving experience. These are people who are joining this nation by choice, and having gone through some difficult times prior to that in many instances.
Thanks for the additional comments.
BTTT!!!!!!
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